Priorities
Spring feels like it’s here!
I apologize for being MIA the past several days. I am swamped with filling out artfair applications and oddly enough the gallery is hopping, (to the point that the past few nights I am getting home around 7pm.) Then because of this glorious spring like weather, I slap something together for supper and race outside to spend whatever daylight is left with my horse. (Also was late coming in the other morning for the same reason.) All this sunshine makes it even harder to walk away from Chicory. That, and he is shedding out so it makes his grooming almost euphoric for him. As a result I have fallen woefully behind on my blogging and non-essential emailing.
But I do have some plans for upcoming posts (probably something to do with the artfair application process) and a new artistic experiment (new for me that is) involving suede matboard and watercolor pencils. Haven’t begun it yet but will of course chart it in the blog.
I finally said Yes.
So far this year I have had several requests to teach a workshop and since it was on my to-do goals list for this year I gave them alot more consideration than usual. Generally teaching makes me want to curl up into the fetal position and mumble to myself about my “happy place.” (Kudos to those of you that do it, teaching that is, and do it well.)
I was asked by an equestrian center looking to host several art workshops (kinda like the Kentucky Horse Park does) to benefit a theraputic riding program. Everything is still in the planning stages but will let you know all when things get finalized.
Good luck with your workshop! It sounds like it’ll be a blast. Spring is so definitely here too, the warmer weather is wonderful on the days that I’m not floored with pressure changes and symptoms flaring all over the place. Sounds like a good time to give some love to your shaggy shedding horse.
My daughter is down in Virginia learning to become a farrier, so I know she must be enjoying the long days in the same way, albeit with more muscle involved. She’s having a good time down there, she loves horses and has all her life so now she’s embarking on a profession that means taking care of them every working day. When she was up here mentored by a local farrier she’d come home red-cheeked and sparkle-eyed with horse stories every day she went out.
I’m looking forward to your art fairs entry. I always liked art fairs and my health is coming slowly up to the level where I might be able to consider doing them. Your paintings probably sell well at them since you’re doing oils and people are so impressed with oil, plus you’re so prolific that you have many to choose from.
What sorts of subjects are more likely to sell at art fairs? I know what used to sell when I had a street license in New Orleans, but is it different in other parts of the country and when it’s a shorter event than a year round market?
Congratulations on everything!
I know what you mean about being MIA. I just don’t know where my week has gone! I’ve either been extremely busy or extremely tired from being extremely busy! I have a polar bear waiting to be photographed!
I look forward to reading all about your art fairs, your new artistic experiment, and your classes when you have time to share. And maybe a photo or two of Chicory
Nice to see you! Thanks for the link to your brother’s calls, the one on the title page is a work of art. Glad business is good for you. How many fairs are you planning this year — adding dropping any? I do have that one in August, just to get my feet wet that I plan to do, though have to really get cranking these next few months. Also, quite an initial investment, did you ever use any homemade display panels?
Last week of classes winding down for me. Next week I will be free to do my art, must learn to neglect my housework for art as well as I do for teaching/conventional job.
I look forward to seeing what you are up to with the wc pencil and suede board. I did those tigers for the pet portrait forum competition on velour with cp. I have some misc. suede mat board that I got as scrap from some frame shops, have not tried it yet, but been meaning to get around tuit. Happy Painting to You!
Robert Good for her! Your daughter that is. Women are kinda rare in the farrier field. Not to mention it is back breaking work. I don’t even like to pick out my horses feet. I hope you are feeling a bit better. It must be difficult to be held to the whim of the weather.
As to what sells at artfairs well that has too many variables to give an accurate answer. But I like the question so much I think I’ll do it’s own post on the subject. BTW I work in OP (like yourself.) I am no good with a paintbrush.
Undaunted Thanks for the award!
I really need to put a few of them in my sidebar. Peeked at you blog looking for the bear. Can’t wait. Will be posting some Chicory photos for sure. I plan on doing a new portrait of him. Plus I am helping a woman train her horse and plan to let her learn some on Chicory to build up her confidence. Expect lots o’ photos.
Angela I started with a home-made display. Well two actually. We build a open rack system, meaning a bunch of 2×4’s (I’ll see if I can dredge up some old photos) This was lousy in wind. So then we bought a used pegboard system which was a visual improvement but weighed a ton and was also not good in the wind. From there, we got the system we use now. Lightweight, sturdy and expensive.
Oh, I can’t say I ever needed to learn how to neglect my housework.
Actually I suppose that’s not true. Come to think of it, when my studio was upstairs in my house, often laundry and dishes got first priority. I remember when I moved to the gallery all of a sudden I had all this time to just create. BTW I didn’t put in a phone at the gallery for a couple of years. Crazy I know, but the peace and quiet was wonderful.
P.S. I think it is great that you are planning on doing a workshop. I know it must seem scary, but, really, I bet you’ll like it when all is said and done. Is this center in your state?
The only fear issues I have about doing a workshop it making sure the people feel like they are getting their money’s worth. I have no fear about talking with people either individually or in groups. But I know being a good teacher means relaying information in a way that people can absorb. As you well know since you teach, that this is an important skill. I have given numerous talks about my business and my art but I have never tried to teach someone to do what I do. Big challenge for me.
The center is in Iowa about 6 hours drive from my place. I quoted a price and they accepted. So we’ll see how it all goes down from here.